Remember your first day of school? That mix of excitement, fear, and confusion? As parents, we often worry about preparing our children for this milestone, focusing heavily on academic skills. But what if I told you that recognising letters and writing their name might be the least important aspects of school readiness?

Through my professional experience and personal journey with my twins, I've discovered that true school readiness revolves around social and emotional development. When I speak with new entrant teachers, they consistently emphasise the importance of self-help skills, emotional regulation, and social capabilities over academic knowledge. Can your child manage the bathroom independently? Do they know how to ask for help when their banana goes mushy in their lunchbox? Can they wait their turn or try again when something's challenging? These practical skills form the foundation for successful school experiences.

In this episode, I share why I chose to send my twins to school at six rather than five, despite outside appearances suggesting they were "ready." I explore why play remains the most powerful vehicle for developing school readiness skills and provide practical strategies for supporting your child's development at home. You'll learn about the five key areas to focus on: self-help skills, social capabilities, emotional regulation, independence, and confidence-building. Remember, school readiness isn't a checklist to complete—it's about nurturing your whole child and recognizing that you have both the time and tools to support their journey. When we focus on emotional groundwork rather than academic pressure, our children truly thrive.

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Welcome to the Kebudel Parent Podcast—your no-nonsense, fun-filled guide to parenting, straight from the experts who really get kids (and parents too!).

Brought to you by experienced early childhood educators, we’re here to dish out practical advice, laugh at the messiness of parenting, and share our insider knowledge to help you thrive. From decoding tantrums to sparking your child’s love of learning, we cover it all with a healthy dose of humor and zero judgment.

Why listen? Because parenting doesn’t come with a manual, but it can come with expert-backed insights, a little sass, and a whole lot of support. Let’s navigate this wild ride together—one episode at a time.